Index separator



July 16, 1957 H. J. HOFFMAN 2,799,276

INDEX SEPARATOR Filed Aug. 19. 1953 llllllliigkT-F- V w I mmvroal Y HAROLDJ HOFFMAN A 7' TORNE rs 2,799,276 INDEX SEPARATOR Harold J. Hoffman, Hastings, Minn., assignor to The Smead Manufacturing Company, Hastings, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application August 19, 1953, Serial No. 375,164 2 Claims. (Cl. 129-16.8)

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in index separators adapted for use in filing cabinets for the separating of various groups of filed materiaLand more particularly relates to new and useful improvements in insert pockets for tabbed index separators.

Index separators of the guide cards or folded type are conventionally utilized in filing cabinets in business establishments for separating and indexing the contents of a file into subject matter, client, alphabetical, or other classification. These index separators serve as partition members and are generally made of rugged cardboard stock so as'to withstand considerable abuse. They may be in the form of a single ply card, in which form the material is filed behind the separators, or they may be in the more conventional form of folders comprising two plies joined together at the bottom with the material to be filed inserted therebetween. Whichever form of separator used, there is usually provided a raised projecting tab positioned along the top edge so that the classification data may be applied thereto or inserted thereon and readily perceived by the file clerk. Furthermore, such tabs are usually staggered along the top edge of the folder for such ready perception.

This invention specifically relates to index separators which are provided with a projecting tab on the top edge to which is applied an insert pocket of celluloid, acetate, or any one of the newer plastics, bent into the form of a substantially tubular shield having open ends to receive the index insert and secured to the tab by any suitable means.

A recurrent objection to index separators having such insert pockets positioned upon upending tabs is that the exposed corners of the pockets may catch on papers as they are being inserted and withdrawn, and are further objectionable because they cause abrasions to the hands since they are provided with sharp projecting corners.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and useful index card having an index pocket so arranged that the extending corner edges thereof are not exposed.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a new and useful pocket and tab construction for an index separator whereby protecting surfaces are provided for the ends of said index pockets.

Other and further objects of this invention reside in the specific constructional details of this index separator including the juxtaposition of the insert pocket and upending tab, and the specific construction of the protecting surfaces for the ends of the indexed pocket.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, this invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

I as shown best with This invention will be described with reference to the drawings, forming a part of this application, in which corresponding numerals refer to the same parts and in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation, partially in section, of the index separator of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a diminished vertical sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 3-3 of: Figure 2. I

Referring now to designated 10, comprising a front ply 11 and a rear ply 12, joined together at edge 13. made of heavy cardboard stock of any suitable kind.

It is of slightly largerdimensions than the papers which; therein and edge 14 of ply 12;- extends upwardly beyond the edge 15 of ply 11, as is,

are intended to be filed indicated best in-Fi'gure 1.

As is illustratedbest in Figure 2, edge 14 is provided with an upending tab 16, having rounded projections 17 and 18 and slightly depressed central portion 19.

The pocket, generallyv designated 20, is made of cellulose, acetate, or any 'othersuitable transparent material and comprises 'a front wall comprising a downwardly; and forwardly extending wall portion 21A, a substantially horizontal wall portion 21B integral therewith, and a portion 210 abutting the front face of ply 12. Portions 21A and 21B provide an angular nose for pocket 20 and a rear wall 23. Front wall 21A-C and rear wall 23 are each portions of an integral planar member and are joined to provide a rounded linear edge 24. Edge 24, reference to Figure 3, is positioned in abutment to portion 19 of tab 16 and has its exposed ends 25 and 26 in depressed relation to projections 17 and 18 of tab 16, respectively.

Ply 14 is provided in this instance with three apertures 28, through which walls 21C and 23 of pocket 20 are spot Welded together as is conventionally known to secure pocket 20 to separator edge 14.

It will thus be seen that the projections 17 and 18 will protect the ends 25 and 26 of rounded linear edge 24 and prevent scratches, abrasions or catching of paper material thereon. The triangular nose 21A--21B, as seen best with reference to Figure 1, has its ends open so that a paper, cardboard or other insert strip 30 may be inserted therein with typewritten or written material thereon which will be visible through the front wall portion 21A.

As many apparently widely difiering embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that I do not specifically limit myself to the embodiment disclosed herein.

What I claim is:

1. An index guide separator for separating filed material, said separator having a substantially horizontal top edge provided with an integral upstanding tab therealong, said tab having substantially upwardly and slightly inwardly inclined end edges smoothly joined to as a continuation of said substantially horizontal top edge of said separator, said integral upstanding tab having a top edge provided with a central slightly depressed edge portion and upwardly extending rounded protuberances positioned at each end of the tab, said protuberances being rounded so as to smoothly join said depressed edge portion of said tab and said inclined end edges thereof, the proximate edges of said protuberances being slanted upwardly and outwardly, an open ended pocket member of transparent material for insertion of a readable index 1C6 Patented July 16, 1957 the drawings, and particularly to; Figure 1, there is shown the index separator generally The card 10 is generally:

slip therein said pocket member being affixed to said tab and seated thereon at said central slightly depressed edge portion and having a vertical dimension overlying said tab, said pocket member being provided with side edges within the space between said rounded protuberances, the upper edge of said pocket member engaging said proximate edges below the top of said protuberances, said pocket member comprising a downwardly extending rear Wall in flat abutment with the rear surface of said tab, and a front wall including a downwardly and forwardly extending wall portion, a substantially horizontal wall portion integral therewith and an integral front wall portion substantially parallel with said rear wall and in flat abutment with the front surface of said tab, said tab being provided with apertures therethrough the front and rear walls portions of the pocket member being deformed towards each other and 'spotwelded together thru said apertures to secure said pocket member to said separator. 2. An index guide separator for separating filed materi'al, said separator having a substantially horizontal top edge provided with an integral upstanding tab therealong, said tab having inclined end edges smoothly joined to as a continuation of said substantially horizontal top edge of said separator, said tab having a top edge provided with a central depressed portion with smoothly rounded protuberances positioned at each end thereof said protuberances being smoothly joined to said central depressed portion of said tab and said inclined end edges thereof, the proximate edges of said protuberances being slanted upwardly and outwardly, open ended angularly it shaped transparent pocket member shaped to receive a readable index slip therein said pocket member being affixed to said tab and having a width such that it may be seated in said central depressed portion, said pocket member being provided with an upper edge substantially in abutment with said central depressed portion of said tab, said upper edge being of such extension as to terminate on said proximate edges and below the tops of said protuberances, whereby the end edges of the transparent pocket are protected between the rounded protuberances of the tab, said pocket member including a substantially angularly shaped recess formed by .a downwardly extending rear wall portion in flat abutment with the rear surface of said tab, a downwardly and forwardly extending front wall portion, a substantially horizontal wall portion integral therewith, and an integral front wall portion substantially parallel with said rear wall and in flat abutment with the front surface of said tab, said pocket member being firmly attached to said tab and separator by plastic welding the front and back portions of the pocket member together thru apertures in the separator guide.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

